Page:Life in the Old World - Vol. II.djvu/262

272 conversion—sometimes interesting it may be, sometimes almost intolerable—to be here, far away from all disquiet and all impediment, in the fullest freedom and peace!

The house in which I am living belongs to the Lutheran Evangelical community—honest Luther!—if I sincerely fought under thy shadow, then give to me now a glorious resting place as my reward—and the adjacent hospital of the community derives an income from the letting of apartments to persons of their own faith. The house stands in a garden on the spot where formerly stood the temple of Saturn—and how shall I describe the view which I have from my room? Below the rock I see the ruins of ancient Rome; the Forum, the Colosseum, rise up as if out of a grave, surrounded by a park brilliant with the verdure of spring. Here the Tiber mounts at the foot of Monte Aventino, throned aloft with its churches and its villas; and there, beyond these, extends the broad, verdant Campagna, bordered by the sea towards the districts of Astia, of Albano, and the Sabine hills, in a wide circuit. From the chain of the Alban hills rises Monte Cavi, with the Convent of the Passionists on its summit, the towns of Frascati, Albano, Aricia, and many others shining out white from the green terraces in its bosom. And above all this earthly scene, with its ruins and gardens, palaces, temples, villas, meadows, and hills, now beams the brightest of vernal heavens, now flames the brilliant sun of Italy. Below my window shines forth the rock foundation; the garden, with its roses and lilies, whilst tame doves come flying to my balcony, and this air,